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Wednesday, February 9, 2011

As many of you noticed yesterday I didn't post a photo. You can probably guess what that means...

Yup.

I'm not keeping up with this project anymore. Why? Because its making photography seem like an assignment. Homework. Something looming over me left to complete. That, my friends, is the opposite of what I had hoped to achieve doing this. While 365 projects can spur creativity and create an outlet for talent they also host evils that plague the mind and spirit of what it used to love. I have no regrets and lord knows that just thirty-plus days of this project was monumental enough considering I am in school full time, working night shifts, and pregnant. So facing an addition to the family later this year, the NCLEX-RN, and lord knows what else, I can already feel this project become intense and pressuring. So I am calling in quits while I'm ahead.

My appologies to anyone I may have let down, but I hope you understand!

34 comments:

Hey, Jen, I completely understand! You've got a lot going on. I will continue to read Cabin Fever, and wish you all the best with everything!By the way, where did you find the random words. I know you said Google, but was there an actual web-site? Thanks! Take care

I used this site right here: http://watchout4snakes.com/CreativityTools/RandomWord/RandomWordPlus.aspx

I will say occasionally it spit out a word that was completely obscure and I knew I wouldn't be able to get a photo using it so I'd generate a new one. It also allows you to switch up nouns,/adjectives/verbs/etc

You are a very talented photographer and I have greatly admired your work.....I admire you even more for setting your priorities and knowing and respecting your limits! I too will continue to read your other blogs and wish you the very best in school and with you new little one on the way!

All the BEST to you. Being "true" to yourself is more important than you will ever know. I hope that your days are filled with the beauty and the serenity that your photos convey. My very best to you! Thanks so very much!

I completely agree with the notion that in many ways it takes the fun out of photography. I love your idea of using random words, but I think it's just too much to do every day for a whole year. A full month here and there is a great challenge, or maybe just one week a month, or one photo a week...

I find there are 3 things in my life that should never seem like "work" - photography, gardening, and dogs. If they start to feel like work, I'm doing it wrong and need to make a change. Kudos to you for not allowing something you love to become a chore. :)

No apologies needed Jen. Your reasons are all sound. Starting a family plus upgrading your professional status are positive things. And keeping the artistic photography as an outlet of joy in life is equally important.

If anyone who posts here is thinking of taking over on the generation of random words (Dianna?) I'd be happy to hitchhike along. Seeing the photos of others was a pleasure.

It was so fun. It kept my mind active and gave me new experiences, but I'm impressed that you had the courage to change priorities. That is certainly not easy. Thank you for a month+ of great opportunities....

jen you have done a great job i first came across ur name at PW site an i liked your name you have gumption to take on as many things as you do you have great pictures an with the baby coming your time will be very thin please take care an yes i am a old gezzer on the male sidehenry.hodge@cox.com

I COMPLETELY understand, because I went through the same thing. In fact, most people I've talked to who attempted a 365 AND those who completed a 365 project shared the same complaint... it became a chore and wasn't enjoyable anymore. A couple people even told me that rather than spark their creativity, it tended to take away their creative spark, because they just wanted to take a dang picture and get it done for the day.

I'm impressed you were able to get this far with all that you have going on. It just goes to prove you are human. (I was beginning to have my doubts.) I can see how this would have become not fun anymore. But the pictures you have put up have been amazing. I look forward to seeing more on your other blog every now and then.

Totally understand. You've been needing 13 arms and 4 heads for the past year. That's why I suggested making a weekly list of words so folks could take pix in a group and then post. Otherwise, definitely homework. I loved the idea and would definitely continue. Will still follow your other blogs! Get some rest. I'm on nurse duty this week and pictures are the last thing on my mind.

I am so impressed you made it 38 days while you have so many things going on!!!!! (not to mention keeping up your other 2 blogs).....congrats on 38 wonderful days of photos...I know I will see more on your other blogs. :)

I've been lurking secretly and very much enjoyed the work you have produced. I'm doing my own 365 and I completely understand the "chore" feeling. I'm glad you are are going to keep photography as a hobby and passion, instead of another thing on your apparently long, but posititve "to do" list. Thanks for the inspiration and good luck with everything!

I saw no responses to my offers to keep this going, then this morning got some feedback through my blog.

I will post my pictures tonight for yesterday and today, and reach out to those who have been posting here. I will also figure out how to link to those of you who are participating - however sporadic it might be :).

Jen - I forgot to come back last night to post. You had a great idea here, but sometimes ideas are not right at that moment in our life. I echo your other readers that you did a great job. If it's not giving you pleasure though, life is too short to not make a change.

I do hope you post sporadically and link to my blog so we can see what you pick. One of the things I liked about this was how everyone's interpretation was so different.

Yes, I have attempted this 365 before..and felt the same way...but living in Wisconsin and working way too many hours...I needed an outlet...and this helped. Especially this time of the year. I look at the words and just try to get them done by the end of the week and then post them. So, no, they are not all taken on the exact date but normally within the week. And..this gives me time to use my 'creative' thoughts to figure out how I am going to get 'the pic'. I have a tendency to do things too quickly because of my constant haste here at work...so it follows me way too much. I'm trying to learn not to do that but it is tough. So...I'll continue on but greatly appreciate the 'muse' that you have been. I wish you the best.

In nursing school, working night-shift and pregnant? And you managed to do this as well? I'm very impressed. Wow. (I remember how overwhelming nursing school could be.) Your photography is wonderful and I've enjoyed following your blog. Good luck and take care of yourself.

Ah, the chore aspect! I too started one of there projects and abandoned it, around day 54 I think. Whilst I think it did make me produce some fairly good stuff, if there was a day I couldn't put 100 % effort in, and let's face it, there always is!, I felt like I was really letting myself down. And so, the pressure grew, and resentment crept in. When I decided to quit, all I felt was relief.

I am sorry to see the project go... but I bet it was very hard work. I did a project like this last year only I did 52 weeks and that was hard in itself. Maybe next time start smaller- like 12 months or 52 weeks. Thanks for sharing your project with us all.

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About 365 Words

This is my year long project to practice creativity and photography. Each day I use a random word generator and whatever the word is that appears is what I use to inspire my photograph posted for that day.

Would you like to participate? You can as little or as much as you'd like. Leave a comment if you do so I can see your interpretation of the word and please post the 365 Button at the bottom of your post